Mustang Convertible Begins Production

The 2005 Mustang Convertible began production at Ford's Auto Alliance International (AAI) plant this week. During the launch celebration at the AAI plant, Car and Driver editor-in-chief Csaba Csere presented the magazine's 10Best award to AAI President, Phil Spender. The Mustang received the award for Best Muscle Car.

"To succeed today you need a car that's hitting on all cylinders. It has to deliver style, quality, utility -- even if only a little bit -- as well as performance and value," said Csaba Csere, editor-in-chief of Car and Driver magazine. "Mustang does all of that, and that's why we selected it to our 10Best list as Best Muscle Car for 2005."

Csere spoke to Ford employees at Mustang's new home, AutoAlliance International (AAI) in Flat Rock, Michigan. He described the new Mustang's quality and also reviewed the car's history going back to April 17, 1964 -- the day the first model went on sale,

"Back in the '60s that car cut across demographic bounds," said Csere. "It was an affordable car, and everyone could buy a Mustang. But you saw a lot of Mustangs in the driveways of very rich people because the car was cool. The new Mustang has the potential for doing that as well. But it has to have a certain level of quality and refinement, and this car has achieved that. After touring the plant this morning I can see how that happened. This is a thoroughly modern facility that totally keeps track of the quality of the car."

"We've known for a long time we had a hit with the 2005 Mustang," said Matt DeMars, vice president of Vehicle Operations, in accepting the award. "And while customer excitement, and recognition like making Car and Driver's '10Best' confirms what we always knew, it is still very gratifying,"

The 2005 Mustang Convertible has a more rigid body structure and is more solid than most coupe-derived vehicles. This was accomplished by engineering it in tandem with the coupe. The result is the most quiet and solid drop top Mustang has ever produced, according to DeMars.

Employees at Auto Alliance International celebrate after receiving Car and Driver's 10Best Award for the 2005 Mustang. Pictured holding the award is, left to right, AAI President Phil Spender, Car and Driver editor-in-chief Csaba Csere and AAI Employee Kim Dyer. Ford began shipping the Mustang Convertible to dealers this week.

The 2005 Mustang was an instant hit since going on sale last October. More then 33,000 units have been sold and more than 12,000 retail customer orders have been taken for both the coupe and the new convertible.

Some AAI employees attending the event said the Car and Driver award added to the pride that has been building since Mustang production began.

"It gave me goose pimples, and this gives us the chance to show people what we can do at this plant," said Dwayne Johnson, unit trainer.

Another employee, Alfreda Bronson, a QLS coordinator, said she's already tested out the convertible and loved it. "I rode with the top down the other day, in the middle of winter," she said. "So you know I've got to feel good about it. I was like the guy in the commercial who froze. That was me!"

AAI President Phil Spender said the Mustang would begin shipping to dealers immediately. In addition to the new Mustang Convertible, AAI builds the Mustang Coupe and three body styles of Mazda6. Ford Motor Company invested $700 million in the plant last fall. It is now a flexible facility capable of building half-dozen vehicles on two platforms. AAI houses a new body shop with 380 robots and flexible tooling, as well as an upgraded stamping operation. Major upgrades to the final assembly area include programmable platforms that hold the car's body on a scissor lift that can be adjusted to the operator's height making it more ergonomic.